No timetable for resuming 737 Max 8 flights

China has no clear timetable to resume flights of the Boeing 737 Max 8 passenger jet after two fatal crashes of the model, which killed a total of 346 passengers and crew, the civil aviation authority said on Tuesday.

Xu Chaoqun, head of the airworthiness certification department at the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said China will not resume flights of the Boeing 737 Max 8 until the aircraft design meets the country's airworthiness requirements, including any alterations to its control systems.

"The administration will fully review the design, operating principles, configuration and safety of the model in line with the country's airworthiness standards to make sure it meets the requirements for safe operation," Xu said at a news conference.